I saw a great idea in an issue of country living magazine that I want to try. I have three old, but sturdy, wooden dining room chairs and I'm going to turn them into one bench. I think I know what I'm doing with that part. The problem I face is that I want to put them out on an open deck. I'm in Iowa and any outdoor furniture is exposed to rain, ice, snow, freezing temps, scorching heat, and high humidity. Hmm... Why do I live here again?!?! I want to paint the bench a cherry red. What should I use to make this an outdoor piece? Latex? oil based? exterior paint? Would Polyurethane over the paint do it? The wood looks to be pine, maybe maple, I'm not 100% sure. Any advise would be so appreciated!

Becky

heycurt

07-17-2009 12:41 PM

I'm new here but since no one has answered your question I'll give it a shot. I have prior experience with neigbors trying to seal pine well enough to use outdoors. That's here in No. Texas which has all kinds of weather. The big problem is moisture and the construction of interior furniture. You cannot seal the joints to keep out moisture. They just are not joined or thick enough for outdoor use. The joints will rot from interior moisture. The wood will curl (we won't even talk above veneers) because it's too thin. Probably the same for maple.

The article was probably thinking (if thinking at all) about using on a covered protected patio. That might work for years. But, out in the sun and rain, I'd give your project one to two years and then to the curb.